Power Outages Cause Food Shortages For Triad Families: High Point Non-Profits Seek Donations

As some in the Piedmont get their power back, they're discovering they have little or no food. One community needs your help.

That's because since late February, it's been a weather roller coaster ride throughout the Piedmont. The region experienced snow, ice and sleet last week, and the latest round of severe weather—high winds.

Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service clocked winds across our state averaging between 45 and 55 miles per hour. Through the mess, thousands of residents lost power and that means much of their refrigerated and frozen food has to be thrown out.

Steve Key is the executive director of Open Door Ministries in High Point. It provides several services to at risk individuals including a food pantry.

"For a lot of people in our community, they don't have money to replace those items. They're on food stamps or a fixed income and they're asking if we can help them,” said Key.

As a result, Key said High Point's churches and non-profits are asking people and business owners to give donations, especially this weekend at the place of worship of their choice. With the money, the United Way of Greater High Point will purchase $50 gift cards for food at Food Lion. Already, High Point University has donated about $10,000 and several food items toward the emergency effort.

According to Key, the goal is to purchase the gift cards next week and distribute them to High Point non-profits that already provide food assistance.